ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
MAIDEN LANDING OF LCA NAVY AND MIG-29K FIGHTER AIRCRAFT ONBOARD INS VIKRANT
"The successful landing and take off of the indigenous LCA Navy on India's first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is a momentous step forward towards the realisation of our collective vision of AatmaNirbharBharat. The maiden landing of the Mig-29K also heralds the integration of the fighter aircraft with INS Vikrant. Congratulations to all those who made it happen." - Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff
INS Vikrant is the first indigenous Aircraft Carrier and the most complex warship ever built by our country. It is a matter of pride that the ship has been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited. The ship had sailed for maiden Sea Trials on 04 Aug 21. Since then, she has undergone sea sorties for trials of Main Propulsion, Power Generation equipment, Fire Fighting systems, Aviation Facility Complex equipment etc. The Carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 02 Sep 22, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest.
The construction of the Carrier is a big boost to the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ vision of the Government of India. The Carrier has been undertaking extensive Air Operations with Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft since 13 Dec 22 towards Air Certification and Flight Integration Trials for achieving the ultimate aim of being ‘Combat Ready’. As part of the aviation trials, landing of LCA  and MiG-29K onboard INS Vikrant was carried out on 06 Feb 23 by Indian Naval Test Pilots.
The landing of LCA on deck has demonstrated ‘AatmaNirbharta’ in India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate indigenous Aircraft Carrier with indigenous Fighter Aircraft. It is indeed a landmark achievement being the first time that trials of a prototype aircraft - indigenously designed & produced by Aeronautical Development Agency  & Hindustan Aeronautics Limited , has been successfully undertaken on an indigenous Aircraft Carrier. Further, the landing of MiG-29K onboard INS Vikrant is also a significant achievement as it marks the successful integration of the aircraft with the indigenous carrier as well as further enhances the Combat Readiness of the Navy.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
E-Shram Registered Unorganised Workers Getting Decent Jobs through NCS
During the Budget Speech 2022-23, the Finance Minister had announced interlinking of four portals i.e. National Career Service , e-Shram, UDYAM and ASEEM to enable services related to credit facilitation, skilling and recruitment with an aim to further formalize the economy and enhance entrepreneurial opportunities for all.
In line with the budget speech, the linkage between NCS and e-Shram has been completed recently. This linkage has enabled unorganized workers registered on e-Shram to seamlessly register on NCS and look for better job opportunities through NCS. So far, more than 26,000 e-Shram beneficiaries have registered on NCS and have started benefiting from this linkage. Attractive job roles have been offered to e-Shram registrants in the past few days which include both desk and field jobs as per skills and need of the jobseekers.
As reported by some of the eShram beneficiaries, a woman unorganised worker from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh got a job in a reputed chemical firm as the District Manager through NCS. One other female e-Shram beneficiary from Palakkad, Kerala received a job offer as a Process Executive in a reputed software firm at Ernakulam. e-Shram registrants are getting varied job offers like Quality Control, Accountant, Agriculture officer, etc through NCS. The unorganised workers of eShram are now having decent career options near their locality with the help on NCS portal.
The NCS portal of Ministry of Labour and Employment is having more than 1.5 lakh active vacancies across all regions in the country, spanning across different growing sectors like IT & Communication, Wholesale & Retail, Civil & Construction works, Government Jobs, etc. The portal has special window on jobs for Differently Abled, Women, Work from Home, Government Jobs, etc. The NCS portal also offer soft skills and digital skills training module free of cost to its registered jobseekers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Updates on COVID-19
India has only 7.9 cases/ lakh population compared to the world figure of 62.3 cases/ lakh Recovery rate improves to 39.6 %
Through a graded, pre-emptive and pro-active approach, Government of India is taking several steps along with the States/UTs for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19. These are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
India has been relatively able to decelerate the pace of COVID-19 and the impact can been seen in the data of COVID-19 cases. Compared to the global scale, where there are 62.3 cases per lakh, India still has only 7.9 cases/ lakh population. Similarly, for mortality per lakh population, while the global average rate is 4.2, India’s figure is pegged at 0.2. The relatively low death figures represent timely case identification and clinical management of the cases.
The focus on clinical management and recovery has resulted in the improvement in the recovery rate. More than 39.6 % of the confirmed cases have recovered bringing the total to 42,298 recoveries, as of today. This is a reminder that the disease is curable and the clinical management protocols adopted by India are effective. It is observed in the recovery data that about 2.9% of all active cases under management require Oxygen support; about 3% of the active cases under management require ICU support and 0.45% of the active cases under management require ventilator support. India has concurrently been focusing on upgrading COVID dedicated health infrastructure.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA .
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no. : +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Power
Power Minister takes review meetingon performance of REC ad PFC
Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy reviewed the performance of REC and PFC Limited on 4th and 5th October 2021 respectively, in the presence of Minister of State for Power Shri Krishan Pal, Secretary Power and Senior Officers of Ministry of Power, with CMDs of REC and PFC and Senior Officers of these CPSEs.
The Minister highlighted Government’s vision is to make available affordable power for all 24x7. In this context, he stressed the need for improving competitiveness of both institutions with a view to increase their market share. He also advised that both the organizations should be nimble footed and dynamically adapt to the changing market needs, increasing renewables, and make efforts to reduce their cost of funds. In this context, he advised PFC and REC to explore better and cheaper options for raising funds, including from offshore sources, with an overall objective of ensuring that the power sector value chain gets access to cheaper funds. For this, he directed PFC and REC to carry out a strategic analysis to adapt to the changed business environment in the Sector with an overall objective to deliver power to consumers at a reasonable cost.
The Minister also stressed upon the need for speedy resolution of Stressed Assets, and suggested a slew of measures to both the Organizations in this context, which includes ensuring that the stressed assets are resolved at a fair value with a minimal haircut for PFC & REC and and in line with the national interests. He emphasized both PFC and REC to increase their outreach by establishing a physical presence across the country. Apart from this, Hon’ble Minister also directed that the system of oversight on the projects funded by PFC and REC should be tightened, which includes increasing frequency of inspections by the Company Officials as well as by hiring expert professionals from the market. He also laid emphasis on strengthening the risk management framework of both the Institutions.
Further, Shri Singh also expressed his concern at the finances of some Distribution Companies and suggested remedial measures to PFC and REC, including establishing presence of their lender nominees in the Board of Directors of DISCOMs of concern.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Special Sanitation campaign for Persons with Disabilities
Secretary , Cabinet Secretariat took a review of Special Campaign 2.0 for Swacchta in Government offices on 19th October, 2022. While activities and initiatives undertaken by various Ministries/Department were discussed in the review meeting, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities proposed that as part of this Special Swacchta Campaign issue of taking care of hygiene and cleanliness needs of the Children with Disabilities may be carried on over a period of next 6 months by roping in various institutions and other Government/Non-Government organizations involved with the activities of the Department. The focus of the proposed activities as part of this initiative would be highlighting the importance of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in daily activities while handling and taking care of children with special needs by parents and other caregivers.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister met with the leaders of CARICOM at the UNGA
India’s historic and warm relations with the countries of the Caribbean witnessed a new momentum with the meeting of PM Modi with 14 leaders of the CARICOM group of countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2019 in New York. Hon’ble Allen Chastenet, Prime Minister of St Lucia and current Chairman of CARICOM co-chaired the meeting. The meeting was attended by the Hon’ble Heads of Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vice President of Suriname, and Foreign Ministers of Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Haiti and Guyana.
It was the first-ever meeting of PM Modi with CARICOM leaders in a regional format and highlighted the steadily intensifying and deepening relations between India and partner countries of the Caribbean, not only in the bilateral, but also in the regional context. PM Modi reiterated India’s firm commitment to strengthen its political, economic and cultural engagement with CARICOM. He recalled the presence of more than a million-strong Indian diaspora as a vibrant and enduring link of friendship with the Caribbean.
The meeting deliberated on strengthening the political and institutional dialogue processes, boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment and fostering greater and more robust people- to- people relations. PM Modi also laid emphasis on partnering with CARICOM countries in capacity building, development assistance and cooperation in disaster management and resilience. He invited CARICOM countries to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. PM expressed his condolences on the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian in the region and the worst hit island of Bahamas to which India has provided immediate financial assistance of USD 1 million.
PM Modi announced a USD 14 million grant for community development projects in the CARICOM and another 150 million Line of Credit for solar, renewable energy and climate- change related projects. He also announced the setting up of the Regional Center for Excellence in Information Technology in Georgetown, Guyana and the Regional Vocational Training Center in Belize by upgrading the existing India-funded centers in these countries. The Indian side also expressed support to specialized capacity building courses, training and deputation of Indian experts based on the needs and requirements of the CARICOM countries. He invited a Parliamentary delegation from CARICOM to visit India in the near future.
CARICOM leaders welcomed the initiatives proposed by PM Modi to strengthen engagement and cooperation between the two sides and reassured full support from their respective governments.
It was decided to set up a Joint Task Force to expeditiously look into possible areas of cooperation and identify the way forward.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar takes over as Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau
Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar has taken over today as Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau.
Shri Bhatnagar is an Officer of the Indian Information Service, Batch of 1986. He has earlier served in Doordarshan News and as Head of the Commercial, Sales and Marketing Division of Doordarshan.
He has also served as Prasar Bharati Special Correspondent West Asia covering twenty countries. He later went on to head the News Services Division of All India Radio.
He has also served at Indian Institute of Mass Communication, in the capacity of Registrar.
Prior to his current charge as head of the organization, Shri Bhatnagar has worked in PIB for six years in different capacities.
Shri Bhatnagar takes over from Shri Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia who superannuated on 28th February 2021.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Road Accidents Due to Potholes
National Highways are being designed, constructed and maintained as per Indian Roads Congress codes/guidelines and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’s specifications. Various safety measures are made as an integral part of the highway development projects depending upon the site requirement and availability of lands. The work of development and maintenance of National Highways are carried out by executing agencies viz NHAI/NHIDCL/State PWDs. In the EPC document there is a provision that the contractor shall at all-time maintain the project highways in accordance with the provision of contract agreement in time bound manner. In Public Private Partnership  Projects the Concessionaire are liable to maintain the roads  for the concession period/ which may varies from 15-30 years in general. However, in EPC mode the contract is liable to maintain/repair the defect for 5-10 years  as per Ministry’s guidelines. In case of any discrepancy during execution stage, concessionaire or contractor is penalized as per the conditions of contract.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Initiatives taken to create a conducive business environment
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  is spearheading the initiatives under Ease of Doing Business and Reducing Compliance Burden which are aimed at creating a conducive business environment. The key focus areas of the initiatives are:
 Simplification of procedures related to applications, renewals, inspections, filing records, etc.,
 Rationalization by repealing, amending or subsuming redundant laws,
 Digitization by creating online interfaces eliminating manual forms and records, and
 Decriminalization of minor technical or procedural defaults.
These initiatives aim to extend benefit to all entities/sectors/industries of the economy, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises .
Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises has also undertaken the following initiatives to create a conducive environment for the promotion and development of MSMEs:-
 Udyam Registration  Portal has been developed to provide fully online, paperless and transparent MSME registration process. No documents or proof are required to be uploaded for registering MSMEs. Only Aadhaar Number and Permanent Account Number  is enough for registration. PAN and Goods & Services Tax -linked details on investment and turnover of enterprises are taken automatically from Government databases.
 Digital Payments have been introduced to pass on the benefits of the schemes of Ministry of MSME through digital payment gateway.
 MSME SAMBANDH Portal has been developed which helps in monitoring the implementation of Public Procurement Policy for micro and small enterprises.
 MSME SAMADHAAN Portal has been developed which helps in empowering micro and small entrepreneurs across the country to register their cases relating to delayed payments.
 CHAMPIONS Portal has been developed for speedy redressal of grievances.
 Government e-Marketplace  has been directed to further facilitate online procurement of common use Goods and Services, required by various Government Departments/Organizations/CPSEs, from MSMEs.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman meets Australian PM’s Special envoy Mr Tony Abbott
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met Mr. Tony Abbott, Special Envoy of Australian Prime Minister here today and held discussions on various issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Abbott complimented India for undertaking comprehensive and sustained reforms programme and said that India has continued to demonstrate robust growth despite the disruptive impact of the pandemic. Mr. Abbott emphasised that Australia views India as a long-standing, valued and trusted partner.
Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman appreciated the credible progress observed in economic and commercial relations between the two countries over the past decade including elevation of the India-Australia bilateral relationship into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Finance Minister also emphasised that the complementarities between both countries provide immense scope for augmenting the economic relationships.
Smt. Sitharaman further highlighted those recent economic reforms and easing of FDI norms in India provide opportunities for Australian investors. The Australian Superannuation funds have invested in National Investment & Infrastructure Fund  and have been invited to look at various opportunities to invest in Indian infrastructure.
The Finance Minister offered that a team from Australia could engage with the Indian side to better explore the avenues for investment in National Infrastructure Pipeline projects.
Australia is an important bilateral partner of India with strong liberal democracies, shared diaspora, trade and investment. The bilateral trade has been growing steadily since past decade and there exists immense potential for the two countries to enhance it further in light of the wide spectrum of complementarities and strengths in the post-COVID period.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Notification of Rules framed under Section 49N and 49-O of the Wild Life  Act, 1972 
The Wild Life  Act, 1972 , provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals, management of their habitat and also for the regulation and control of trade in the products derived from various parts of wild animals.
The Act was last amended in 2022. The Wild life  Amendment Act, 2022 has come into force since 1st April 2023. As per the Section 49 N of the Act, person engaged in breeding in captivity or artificially propagating any scheduled specimen listed in Appendix I of Schedule IV are required to make an application for a licence within a period of ninety days of the commencement of the Wild Life  Amendment Act, 2022.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Rules under Section 49 N vide Gazette Notification dated 24th April 2023. They can also be accessed from http://moef.gov.in.
All persons engaged in breeding in captivity or artificially propagating any scheduled specimen listed in Appendix I of Schedule IV of the Act are requested to make an application for licence as per the Rules framed under Section 49 N of the Wild Life  Act, 1972 in the prescribed form on or before 29th June, 2023.
Ministry of Defence
Chiefs of staff committee Farewell Banquet For the Hon’ble President
The Chiefs of Staff Committee hosted a farewell Banquet on 21 Jul 2017 in honour of the Hon’ble President and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The Hon’ble Vice President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Service Chiefs and other Senior Military and Civilian officials of the Services and the Ministry of Defence attended the Banquet.
In a simple but elegant function held at the imposing Manekshaw Centre, the Hon’ble President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces interacted with the senior military officers.
The Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee & Chief of Naval Staff, thanked the Hon’ble President for his sagacity & stated that he had been a source of great inspiration to all personnel of the Armed Forces. The Hon’ble President, in his farewell address, extended his best wishes to all members of the Armed Forces and their families. He also paid rich tributes to the Martyrs and their families for their sacrifices to the Nation.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister pays tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary.
Shri Modi said that the personality and work of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, the founder of Antyodaya, who dedicated his entire life to the service of Mother India, will always remain a source of inspiration for the countrymen.
The Prime Minister also shared his thoughts on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
In a X post, the Prime Minister said;
“मां भारती की सेवा में जीवनपर्यंत समर्पित रहे अंत्योदय के प्रणेता पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी का व्यक्तित्व और कृतित्व देशवासियों के लिए हमेशा प्रेरणास्रोत बना रहेगा। उनकी जन्म-जयंती पर उन्हें मेरा सादर नमन।”
Prime Minister's Office
PM chairs a meeting on pollution and cyclone
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting today to discuss the situation arising due to pollution in various part of Northern India.
He also reviewed the situation arising due to cyclone conditions in parts of western India.